An elderly taxi driver is in a coma in a Sydney hospital after he was stabbed 10 times in the neck and shoulder in a frenzied attack in Surry Hills.
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Police were called to a driveway in Fitzroy Place about 11.30pm on Monday after receiving reports that a taxi driver was being assaulted.
They arrived to find the 71-year-old driver slumped over the steering wheel of his taxi, with large amounts of blood smeared over the driver's door and the vehicle's roof, and pooled on the ground. Neighbours who heard the commotion were trying to give him first aid.
Paramedics treated the injured man before taking him to St Vincent's Hospital where he was in an induced coma on Tuesday morning.
Inspector Bob Allison said the driver initially was in a serious but stable condition when he arrived at hospital.
He underwent surgery overnight, but a police spokeswoman said the driver's condition had since deteriorated.
Inspector Allison said officers were looking for a man, aged between 30 and 40, who was seen running from the area after the stabbing.
The man was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, blue denim shorts and a red hat and was last seen running towards Crown Street.
Police said initial investigations indicated that robbery did not appear to be a motive in the attack.
Officers will examine whether the attack was captured on CCTV camera, including from inside the taxi.
The NSW Taxi Council has been contacted for comment.
Police have urged anyone with information about the attack to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
